The fields for the 14 races that comprise the Breeders’ Cup World Championships actually start to return into focus in summer time and fall. This common characteristic will provide a snapshot profile of one of many earlier weekend’s standout stars, normally a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Problem Collection winner, and whether or not I’m shopping for or promoting their probabilities to win Nov. 1-2 at Del Mar.
This week we take a more in-depth have a look at Gold Phoenix, who on Aug. 31 received the Del Mar Handicap Offered by The Japan Racing Affiliation for the third straight yr. The 6-year-old Belardo gelding earned an expenses-paid berth to the $5 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf Nov. 2 at Del Mar with the victory.
Accomplishments: Gold Phoenix is an elite West Coast-based racehorse on the grass with six graded stakes victories within the final 24 months, starting with the 2022 Del Mar Handicap two years in the past right this moment (Sept. 3).
His first foray within the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf in fall 2022 was a well-beaten 10th-place end that maybe is just not indicative of his efficiency that day as he earned a 117 Equibase Velocity Determine, which stays the perfect of his profession.
Gold Phoenix was given 4 months off after the 2022 Breeders’ Cup. He returned recent and prepared for enterprise in 2023, profitable three of seven begins (all in graded stakes) together with the primary Grade 1 victory if his profession within the Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes. He closed the yr with a rallying fourth within the Breeders’ Cup Turf at 51.60-1 odds.
Coach Phil D’Amato gave Gold Phoenix one other prolonged break from coaching after the 2023 Breeders’ Cup, and it appears to have completed the 6-year-old effectively. After an unplaced end in his return, he received the Charles Whittingham Stakes Offered by FanDuel TV in Could, completed a troubled seventh within the Grade 2 Eddie Learn Stakes at 1 1/8 miles, and added a win within the Del Mar Handicap final weekend.
“I believe an enormous key to that is us doing proper by the horse yearly,” D’Amato stated. “After Breeders’ Cup we give him a pleasant couple of months off and I believe that prepares him to be prime when Breeders’ Cup comes round once more.”
Whereas unplaced in two tries at 1 ½ miles, each in earlier editions of the Breeders’ Cup Turf, Gold Phoenix has posted high quality pace figures at that distance and he’s 3-for-3 at 1 3/8 miles, so it does look like the longer the higher for him. He’s additionally amassed a sterling document of 4 wins and a 3rd in six races on the grass at Del Mar, host observe of this yr’s Breeders’ Cup. He loves this turf course.
Velocity Figures: The Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf sometimes attracts a strong contingent of worldwide turf runners mixed with all the greatest turf horses within the U.S. The typical profitable Equibase Velocity Determine for the final 10 editions has been 124.1 with a spread from a 116 by Discovered in 2015 to a 133 by Allow in 2018. Even at his greatest, Gold Phoenix could be hard-pressed to win the Longines Turf based mostly on Equibase Velocity Figures. Likewise the typical profitable Beyer Velocity Determine from 2014 by 2023 was 107.9 with a spread of 104 for Bricks and Mortar within the 2019 Turf to a 114 for Allow in 2018. Gold Phoenix earned a 98 for his Del Mar Handicap win Saturday and his career-best Beyer Velocity Determine is a 102. Once more, the priority is that even at his greatest, Gold Phoenix simply may not be quick sufficient.
Wanting Forward: Final yr’s fast-closing fourth by Gold Phoenix within the Breeders’ Cup Turf actually confirmed me one thing. Add in the truth that he loves the Del Mar Turf course and I can see the argument that the 2024 version most likely presents his greatest Breeders’ Cup probability. And, I do count on Gold Phoenix to run effectively.
Sadly, his greatest race may not be sufficient to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf, so whereas I’m shopping for Gold Phoenix’s probabilities to complete within the prime three at an enormous worth, I’m promoting him as a win candidate for one of many hardest races for a U.S.-based horse to win on the World Championships.
